The Mets have been trying to sign R.A. Dickey to a multi-year contract extension. If it doesn’t work out, they’re likely to trade him at some point this winter.

And they will not lack for potential suitors.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Mets “have fielded calls from six or seven teams” that want to chat at the Winter Meetings next week in Nashville, Tennessee about what it would take to acquire the veteran knuckleballer. The Royals have already been linked, though they’ll probably want to go a little younger if possible. Heyman suspects the Mets “will seek a catcher and outfield help” in return.

Dickey won the Cy Young Award in the National League this past season after posting a fantastic 2.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 230/54 K/BB ratio across 233 2/3 innings of work. The 38-year-old right-hander is currently scheduled to hit the free agent market next winter. He’ll make a $5 million salary in 2013.